Boot buckle



Jan. 16, 1968 v R. B. LANGE ET AL 3,363,288

BOOT BUCKLE Filed Aug. 29, 1966 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTORS ROBERT E. LANGE FIG. 5 PHILO a. LANGE Jan. 16, 1968 R. a. LANGE ET AL 3,

BOOT BUCKLE Filed Aug. 29, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill FIGJO FIG. 12 @1 1w 468 48B 46B 46B 2 ma: [ELEM INVENTORS 40C ROBERT E. LA/VG'E 626 PH/LO B. LANG'E FIG. 15

United States Patent 3,363,288 BOOT BUCKLE Robert B. Lange, 850 Mt. Carmel Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, and Philo B. Lange, 33 E. 73rd St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46240 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 380,184, July 3, 1964. This application Aug. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 582,783

11 Claims. (Cl. 2468) This invention relates to a buckle device for securing the flaps of ski and other type athletic boots and more particularly relates to a buckle having a fine degree of adjustability for varying the tightness of a boot for maximum skiing efiiciency. This is a continuation-in-part of our co-pending application Ser. No. 380,184 filed July 3, 1964, and now abondoned.

In recent years, the use of quick connect and disconnect buckles for securing the flaps of ski boots has become increasingly popular. Such popularity results generally from the ease with which such a mechanism can be secured or loosened when wearing mittens or heavy gloves. In addition, buckles are more resistant to the efiects of snow and ice coatings than are laces.

Due to the increasing use of long ski tows, chair lifts and other means for moving a skier to the top of the trail, it has become increasingly desirable to loosen ones boots while going up and have them tightened only when actually skiing. This procedure is necessitated by the fact that a wearers foot has a tendency to become cold when inactive and the boot is secured tightly enough for eflicient skiing.

The buckle device of this invention permits the wearer to readily loosen his boots when relaxing or traveling and quickly secure and tighten them when it is time to ski.

The buckles of the prior art are almost uniformly of the lever, snap-over type having a plurality of grooves along the lever for adjusting tightness. Because of the inability to obtain a fine adjustment, many skiers prefer the slightly too tight groove selection. Many times this causes an exceptional stress to be placed on the leather of the boot proper. It is a principal objective of this invention to provide a buckle having both a coarse and fine adjustment whereby a skier can select a degree and selection of tightness not available through conventional lacing or buckles of the prior art.

In boots of the type for which this invention finds its greatest usefulness, the flaps are relatively rigid and dilficulties can occur if those elements on one flap are not accurately aligned with the elements mounted to the other flap. Another objective of this invention is to reduce these difficulties by making one set of elements pivotal with respect to the other. g

These and other important objectives and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a boot utilizing the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of a buckle engaged but not secured;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the elements in their secured position;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective of a shaft element;

FIGURE 7 is a partial side elevational view showing alternative buckle placement;

3,363,288 Patented Jan. 16, 1968 FIGURES 8 and 9 disclose a further embodiment of the invention;

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate another further objective of the invention;

FIGURES 12 and 13 illustrate another embodiment in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURES 14 and 15 illustrate yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention.

Referring now with more particularity to FIGURES 1 through 6 wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, the boot of this invention is indicated by the numeral 10. In the disclosed embodiment of this invention, the apparatus is applied to a plastic boot of a type more fully described in co-pending application Ser. No. 223,733, filed Sept. 14, 1962, continued in part in application Ser. No. 441,398, filed Feb. 24, 1965, now Patent No. 3,239,952.

The boot is comprised generally of a foot portion 12 and a pivoted gaiter 14. The foot portion and gaiter are open along a front tongue section 16. The opening 16 is conventionally drawn together about the foot and ankle of the wearer by laces or a series of buckles.

The buckling mechanisms of this invention are indicated generally by the numeral 20. A plurality of the buckles 20 span the tongue opening 16. In the embodiment described, three buckles are shown permitting them to be represented in a size easily viewed. It should be understood that any number sufficient to comfortably fasten the boot to the foot of the wearer can be used. It should also be understood that the buckle can be used with boots having overlapping flaps.

Since the buckles are identical, only the lowermost one shown will be described in detail. The tongue opening 16 is defined by a first flap 22 and a second flap 24. Afiixed to the first flap is a plastic strap 26 terminated by a pair of fingers 28 and 30 which define a recess 34 therebetween. A pair of bearing members 36 and 38 extend outwardly from the fingers and are secured to the fingers by way of the rivets 39. A shaft 40 has its ends rotatably secured in bearings 36 and 38. The shaft, as best seen in FIGURE 6, is enlarged intermediate its length at portion 42 and is formed with a transverse threaded aperture through the enlarged portion. A threaded rod 44 is received by the aperture. The rod has a knob end 45 receivable in recess 34 and a second end 45 terminated by a housing 46. The housing member is cylindrical and secures the base of a loop member 48 therein.

Secured to flap 24 and juxtaposed opposite strap 26 is a base member 50. The base member 50 is formed with an up-standing yoke 52 which supports a pivot shaft 54 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of shaft 40. Pivotally secured to the yoke 52 by shaft 54 is a tensionin-g lever 56, one side of which is formed with a plurality of loop-receiving notches 58. The base member 50 is recessed at 60 to permit level 56 to assume a maximum counterclockwise swing as seen in FIGURE 5.

In operation, the wearer inserts his foot into the boot and begins sequentially securing the buckles, starting from the lowermost or that buckle nearest the toe. By trial and error, the correct degree of tightness can be determined by rotating shaft 44 by knob 45 until each loop is exactly at the correct distance from the supporting shaft to secure the flap members together when the tensioning lever has been moved to the position of FIG- URE 4. Once the individual buckle adjustments are made, they should not require readjustment for some time. Naturally, when wearing different weight socks, etc., an adjustment can be made at any time. The shaft 40 can be pivoted to either of the dotted line positions (away from recess 34) shown in FIGURE 2. This facilitates rotating the shaft via its knob 45.

When a skier is ready to start a downhill course, he must merely reach down, place loops 48 into the selected notch 58 and snap lever 56 from the position shown in FIGURE 3 to that shown in FIGURE 4.

In many instances, skiers prefer that the strap span the distance between flaps rather than the buckle mechanism. A reference to the top buckle 20c illustrates this feature. A strap 260 is manufactured sufficiently long to span the opening and base member 50 is secured somewhat further away from the tongue opening. Good results have been obtained having all buckles arranged as 20 and 20b, all arranged as 200, and the combination of buckles as seen in FIGURE 1.

If it is desired to increase the strength of strap 20 by eliminating the recess 34, the embodiment shown in FIG- URES 8 and 9 is utilized. In this embodiment the strap 20 is full throughout its length. The bearing members are comprised of loop section 41 extending above the plane of the strap and a shank portion 43 along the length of the strap and secured thereto by rivets 39. The raised loop elevates the rod 44 away from the strap while permitting it to swing to the dotted line position of FIG- URE 9. The remaining structure is identical to that previously described. A The side elevation of FIGURE 7 represents the situation where the strap 20 or the first flap 22 extends across the tongue opening in overlapping relationship with the fiap 24. In this instance, the adjustable loop and the pivoting lever are carried over the second flap when the buckle 70 is secured. Of course, the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 9 can be used with the buckle placement shown in FIGURE 7.

Due to the relative stiffness of the material from which a preferred embodiment of the ski boot is fabricated, it has been found desirable to incorporate a pivoted mounting in lieu of or in addition to the aforedescribed structure supporting the loop member 48. The pivoted mounting provides a means to compensate for misalignment between corresponding elements mounted on opposing boot flaps. By reference to FIGURES 10 through 13, two such mountings are illustrated.

In theiembodiment of FIGURES 10 and 11 a loop 48A is connected to a base member or strap 20A through a housing 46A and a threaded rod 44A. The rod 44A is disposed through a transverse threaded aperture in a headed shaft or pin 62 rotatably mounted through an opening in the strap 20A. The rod 44A is provided, on the free end thereof, with a headed portion 64 which prevents the rod from being threaded out of the aperture in the shaft or pin 62.

As can be readily seen, with the aforedescribed structure, the loop 48A can be pivoted around the axis of the shaft or pin 62 thereby allowing lateral movement of the loop to compensate for misalignment between the loop and the corresponding structure on the opposite flap.

In the embodiment of FIGURES l2 and 13, a constructional variation of the structure of the embodiment of FIGURES l and 11 is illustrated. In this variation a loop 48B, of somewhat a different plan form configuration,is connected to a base member or strap 20B through a housing 46B and threaded rod 44B. The rod is disposed through a threaded aperture in a headed shaft or pin 62B rotatably mounted through an opening in the strap 20B. The function of the aforedescribed structure is identical to that of the embodiment of FIGURES and 11, however, it will be noted that the constructional details are somewhat simplified in that the housing 46B is formed of a flattened extension of the rod 44B, rolled around the loop 48B to provide a swiveling connection therewith. It should also be noted that the rod 44" is without a head on the free end thereof thereby permitting the rod to be threaded out of the aperture in the pin 62". This latter feature provides the benefit of replacement of worn or damaged components by allowing the disassembly of the hoop, rod and pin structure if necessary from the strap.

In FIGURES 14 and 15 the swivel capability is added to the structure of the embodiments of FIGURES 1 through 9. In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, a loop 48C is connected to a strap or base member 20C through a housing 46C and a threaded rod 44C. The rod 44C is disposed through a transverse threaded aperture in a shaft 40C which, in turn, is rotatably held by bearings 36C and 38C mounted on a base 66. The base 66 is pivotally connected to the strap 20C by a headed pin or shaft 62C fixedly connected thereto and rotatably mounted through an opening in the strap.

The aforedescribed structure thereby provides a swivel mounting for the loop 48C which provides the advantages of the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 through 9 and 10 through 13.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed in the above description, what is deemed to be the most practical and efiicient embodiment of the invention, it should be well understood that the invention is not limited to such an embodiment as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition, and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

We claim: 1. A fastening device for securing first and second flaps of a ski boot together comprising:

a first base member fixedly secured to said first flap, a bearing carried by said member, a shaft rotatably received by said bearing, a securing loop, means rotatable with said shaft adjustably supporting said loop for movement toward and away from said shaft, 21 second base member secured to said second flap and juxtaposed opposite said first member,

a loop-engaging lever pivotally secured to said second flap about an axis generally parallel to said shaft, said lever having a first position toward said shaft and a second position extending away from said shaft, said lever having a groove for receiving said loop when in said first position to thereby move said first flap with respect to said second flap when said lever is pivoted from said first position to said second position.

2. The device described in claim 1 wherein said means includes a threaded rod for supporting said loop and said shaft having a threaded opening transverse of its length to threadably receivesaid rod.

3. The device described in claim 2 wherein said lever has a plurality of loop engaging grooves along its length.

4. A fastening device for securing first and second flaps of a ski boot together comprising a first strap fixedly secured to said first flap,

a base member secured to said second flap and juxtaposed opposite said first strap,

a gearing carried bysaid strap nearest said base mema shaft rotatably received by said bearing,

a securing loop mounted on said shaft,

means rotatable with respect to said shaft and adjustably supporting said loop for movement toward and away from said shaft,

a loop-engaging lever pivotally secured to said second flap about an axis generaly parallel to said shaft, said lever having a first position toward said shaft and a second position away from said shaft, said lever having a groove for receiving said loop when in said first position to thereby move said first flap with respect to said second flap when said lever is pivoted from said first position to said second position.

5. A fastening device for securing first and second flaps of an athletic boot together comprising:

a strap fixedly secured to said first flap, a base member secured to said second flap and juxtaposed opposite said strap, said strap at that end closest to said base member terminated by a pair of extensions defining a recess longitudinal of strap length,

a bearing carried at the end of said extension carried by said member,

a shaft having its ends received by said bearings,

an enlarged collar intermediate the ends of said shaft having a threaded aperture transverse of shaft length, a threaded shaft received by said aperture and having a first end received in said recess,

a securing loop fixed to the other end of said shaft whereby the shafts position with respect to said collar can be varied by rotating said loop,

a loop-engaging lever pivotally secured to said second flap about an axis generally parallel to said shaft, said lever having a first position toward said shaft and a second position extending away from said shaft, said lever having a groove for receiving said loop when in said first position to thereby move said first flap with respect to said second flap when said lever is pivoted from said first position to said second position.

6. A fastening device for securing first and second flaps on said first flap and a shaft rotatably carried by said member.

8. A fastening device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said adjustment means includes a threaded rod for 5 supporting said loop and said shaft having a threaded opening transverse of its length to threadably receive said rod.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said shaft is generally perpendicular to said first flap and disposed through said member for rotation therein.

10. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises:

a first base mounted on said flap,

a first shaft disposed generally perpendicular through said first base for rotation therein,

a second base fixed to said first shaft,

a bearing carried by said second base,

a second shaft disposed substantially perpendicular to said first shaft rotatably received in said bearing, said adjustment means supporting said loop for movement toward and away from said shaft.

11. A fastening device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said adjustment means includes a threaded rod of a boot together comprising:

a securing loop, supporting means swivelly mounting said securing loop to said first flap, said supporting means including an adjustment means for movement of said securing loop toward and away from said first flap,

for supporting said loop and said second shaft having a threaded opening transverse of its length to threadably receive said rod.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS a loop-engagiug lever pivotally secured to said second 485,434 11/1892 Arnoldflap about an axis generally parallel to the surface of 814,608 3/1906 Johnson 24-271 said second flap, said lever having a first position 1,399,416 12/1921 Tum:r 24 271 toward said shaft and a second position extending 2167 682 8/1939 Samiran away from said shaft, said lever having at least one groove for receiving said loop when in said first posi- 2,409,576 10/1946 Markey XR tion to thereby move said first flap with respect to 2,775,806 1/1957 Love 24271 said second flap when said lever is pivoted from said 3 173,182 3/1965 T f l 4 g first position to said second position. 7. A fastening device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises a first base mounted DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FASTENING DEVICE FOR SECURING FIRST AND SECOND FLAPS OF A SKI BOOT TOGETHER COMPRISING: A FIRST BASE MEMBER FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST FLAP, A BEARING CARRIED BY SAID MEMBER , A SHAFT ROTATABLY RECEIVED BY SAID BEARING, A SECURING LOOP, MEANS ROTATABLE WITH SAID SHAFT ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTING SAID LOOP FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SHAFT, A SECOND BASE MEMBER SECURED TO SAID SECOND FLAP AND JUXTAPOSED OPPOSITE SAID FIRST MEMBER, 